System and method for presenting progressively downloaded media programs

ABSTRACT

A system and method for presenting progressively downloaded media programs is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, obtaining an estimated length of a media program where the estimated length is based on a plurality of different reported lengths of the media program in reported media program information, presenting at a display device a portion of the media program while it is being delivered by a media delivery system via a progressive download, and enabling active trick play functions for the media program based on the estimated length of the media program until a true time index is generated using an index file at an end of the progressive download of the media program. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/738,357 filed Apr. 20, 2007, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to progressively downloadedmedia programs and more specifically to a system and method forpresenting progressively downloaded media programs.

BACKGROUND

Progressively downloaded media programs provide end users the ability tostart the presentation of a media program before the media program iscompletely downloaded. More specifically, downloaded portions of themedia program are used to support initial playback while the remainderof the media program continues downloading in the background. Duringplayback of progressively downloaded media programs stored in commonaudio/video container formats, some playback features may be limited orunavailable. This occurs because the index file for common audio/videofile container formats is generally included at the end of the containerfile. The index file generally contains critical information about themedia program and as a result, certain playback features dependent oninformation in the index file are generally unavailable duringpresentation of progressively downloaded media programs.

A need therefore arises for a system and method for presentingprogressively downloaded media programs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of thecommunication system; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a systemand method for presenting progressively downloaded media programs.

In a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readablestorage medium in a Set-Top Box (STB) can have computer instructions fordetermining an approximate length of a media program from a catalog ofmedia programs, presenting at a media device coupled to the STB aportion of the media program while it is being delivered to the STB by amedia delivery system, and adjusting the presentation of the portion ofthe media program according to the approximate length.

In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a Set-Top Box (STB)can have a controller element to determine a length of a media programfrom a catalog of media programs and present according to the length aportion of the media program while it is being delivered to the STB by amedia delivery system.

In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a method can involvepresenting a portion of a media program prior to its complete deliveryaccording to a length of the media program determined from one or morereported lengths for the media program.

In a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, a Set-Top Box (STB)can have a controller element that presents a portion of a media programprior to its complete delivery with one or more active trick playfunctions.

In a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, a method can involveretrieving playback information from each of a plurality of mediaprograms, receiving a request to deliver a select one of the pluralityof media programs, and delivering the playback information of theselected media program before or while it is being delivered.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an IPTV communication system100 having portions that can be configured as a media delivery systemfor delivery of progressively downloaded media programs. In a typicalIPTV backbone, there is at least one super head office server (SHS)which receives national media programs from satellite and/or mediaservers from service providers of multimedia broadcast channels. The SHSserver forwards IP packets associated with the media content to videohead servers (VHS) via a network of video head offices (VHO) accordingto a common multicast communication method. The VHS then distributesmultimedia broadcast programs to commercial and/or residential buildings102 housing a gateway 104 (e.g., a residential gateway or RG) thatdistributes broadcast signals to receivers such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs)106 which in turn present broadcast selections to media devices 108 suchas computers or television units managed in some instances by a mediacontroller 107 (e.g., an infrared or RF remote control).

Unicast traffic can also be exchanged between the STBs 106 and thesubsystems of the IPTV communication system 100 for services such asdelivery of media programs to STBs 106. Although not shown, theaforementioned multimedia system can also be combined with analogbroadcast distributions systems.

An STB 106 operating in the system 100 can comprise a mass storagesystem, a controller element, and a network interface. The mass storagesystem can utilize common storage technologies (e.g., hard disk drives,flash memory, etc.) to store one or more media programs in one or moredatabases managed by the controller element. The controller element canutilize common video processing technologies (e.g., MPEG 3 or 4, H.264,high definition TV, standard definition TV, etc.) to present and manageprograms on the media device 108. The network interface can utilizecommon networking technologies (e.g., LAN, WLAN, TCP/IP, etc.) to managecommunication with the gateway 104 and the IP network via wireline(e.g., Ethernet, or cable) and/or wireless communications (e.g., WiFi).

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary method 200 operating in portions of thecommunication system 100. Method 200 has variants as depicted by thedashed lines. It would be apparent to an artisan with ordinary skill inthe art that other embodiments not depicted in FIG. 2 are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the claims described below.

Method 200 begins with step 202 in which a user selects a media programfor progressive download from a media delivery system. For example, auser can select via an interface of the STB 106, such as a remotecontrol, a media program from a catalog of media programs stored in oneor more portions of the system 100. The catalog can be presented to theuser on the display of the media device 108. Media programs can includeany type of multimedia presentation including audio, visual, oraudio/visual presentations. For example, the media program selected cancomprise an audio-only program such as music, a visual-only program suchas a video bulletin board or a collection of still pictures from apicture album, or an audio/visual program such as a movie or televisionprogram.

In response to the user selecting a media program, the STB 106 in step204 can request the media delivery system to deliver the selected mediaprogram to the STB 106. Once an amount of the media program sufficientto support playback is delivered, the STB 106 in step 206 can begin apresentation of the delivered portion of the media program. The STB 106can use common progressive download methods to determine whethersufficient amounts of the media program have been delivered to the STB106 to support playback without interruption.

In step 208, the STB 106 can determine a length or approximate length oftime of the media program. The approximate length of time of the mediaprogram can be determined from media program information reported in oneor more locations accessible via the system 100. For example, a mediadelivery system catalog of movies typically provides for each movie atitle, a description, actors or directors, a rating, and a reportedlength of time for the movie. In step 208, the STB 106 can be configuredto utilize this reported information to determine an approximate lengthfor the movie. In another example, the STB 106 can be configured toaccess other information sources, such as websites or databases, tolocate media program information. In one embodiment, the programinformation source can include pre-processing of the media program priorto the progressive download. For example, the media program can bescanned to determine the relevant information. In another example, anindex file of a file header of the media program can be analyzed and therelevant information extracted therefrom.

In some instances, the STB 106 can be configured to analyze multiplereported lengths for the media program and, for example, calculate anaverage approximate length. Similarly, chapter or track information fora media program can also be downloaded from one or more databasesaccessible to the system 100 without the need to access the index fileof the media program. Although the approximated length for the mediaprogram may not coincide with the actual length of the media program,the approximated length can allow the STB 106 to generate otherapproximated time information to allow users to access playback featuresnormally requiring time information from the index file.

Once the STB 106 calculates an approximate length for the media program,the STB 106 in step 210 can calculate the approximate current positionof the media program in relation to the length of the media programand/or generate an estimated time index to assist in managing andnavigating the media program. An estimated time index can be used by theSTB 106 to manage playback and navigation of the media program. In oneembodiment, the estimated time index is utilized for playback andnavigation of the media program until a true time index can be generatedusing the index file received at the end of the progressive download.The STB 106 can use the estimated time index to store informationregarding the approximate length, the approximate current position, theapproximate downloaded amount of the media program, and other timepositions within the media program. For example, the STB 106 can use theestimated time index to store estimated chapter or bookmark positions toallow the user to navigate from one portion of the media program toanother.

The STB 106 can utilize the estimated time index for management of theplayback and navigation of the media program prior to receipt of anyindex file in the header file of the progressively downloaded mediaprograms of audio/visual media container file formats (e.g., Audio VideoInterleave (AVI)). The index file can include information, such as mediaprogram length and track or chapter information, that can be used forfunctions such as bookmarking (stopping playback of a media program andresuming at the same position at a later time), trick play(fast-forward, rewind, skip forward or backwards a certain amount oftime, chapter skip) and/or displaying selectable GUI elements andcommands, including trick play GUI elements, volume controls, playbars,or other playback status bars.

Estimated time index entries can be stored in several ways. In oneembodiment, time-based positions can be transformed into approximateframe counts. These approximate frame counts for the time-basedpositions, such as chapters or bookmarks, can be determined byapproximating a total frame count based on the approximated length andthe detected frame rate, and determining an approximate frame countcorresponding to each time-based position. For example, where a framecount of 175,000 frames corresponds to approximately a 2 hour movie,then about 24 frames will correspond to one second. Therefore, if achapter position begins at 5 minutes from the beginning of the movie, aframe count of 7200 frames can be associated with the chapter and storedin the estimated time index. The STB 106 can later access the chapterposition by accessing the estimated time index and retrieving theassociated frame count. Alternatively or in combination, the estimatedtime index entries can be time-based and converted to frame countswhenever processing is required.

The approximate current position can also be calculated in several ways.For example, the approximate current position can be determined bymonitoring the elapsed time since the start of playback of the mediaprogram. In another example, the approximate current position can becalculated by comparing the current frame count to an approximated totalframe count for the entire media program, based on the approximatedlength and a detected frame rate. Although not shown, an approximatedownloaded amount of the media program can be similarly calculated.

The approximate current position, the approximate length, and/or theestimated time index can be used to generate a GUI to display on themedia device 108. Separately, or in combination with step 210, the STB106 in step 212 can generate GUI elements to display the currentposition for the media program using the approximated time information.For example, the approximate current position and the approximate totaltime can be used to generate a graphical playbar in the GUI. Thegraphical playbar can also be configured to indicate an approximatedownloaded amount of the media program or to indicate chapter orbookmark positions in the media program. In another example, theapproximate current position, the approximate total time, and/or theestimated time index can be used to generate a numerical display in theGUI of the approximate current position, the approximate elapsed time,the approximate remaining time, and/or approximate chapter or trackinformation for the media program.

As previously discussed, the approximated time information can be usedto allow users to access functions such as bookmarking and trick playeven though the index file has not been downloaded. As shown in method200, a STB 106 can use the estimated time index to manage playback andnavigation for the media program as shown in steps 214-228.

In step 214, the STB 106 can monitor for a user request for trick play(i.e., adjust position) of the media program. If a request for trickplay is detected, then the STB 106 can calculate a new position for themedia program in step 216. The STB 106 can calculate the new position inseveral ways. For example, in response to a request to skip ahead oradvance the media program 5 seconds, the STB 106 can determine theapproximate additional number of frames associated with a 5 second shiftand add the approximate additional number of frames to the current framecount to determine the new position. In another example, in response toa request to skip ahead to a chapter position stored in the estimatedtime index, a frame count associated with the new position can beretrieved by accessing the estimated time index and retrieving the framecount associated with the selected chapter. In yet another example,where a new time-based position falls between two or more identifiedtime-based positions associated with frame counts, such as chapters, theframe count to associate with the new position can be interpolated.

Once the new position is calculated, the STB 106 in step 218 can resumepresentation of the media program at the new position. In oneembodiment, separately or in combination with step 218, the STB 106 instep 220 can also adjust the GUI elements to reflect the new position,as previously discussed.

In some instances, a request for trick play can result in calculation ofa new position beyond the approximate length of the media program or theapproximate available amount of the media program. In the case of acalculated new position between the approximate downloaded amount of themedia program and the approximate end of the media program, the STB 106can be configured to pause playback, allow the progressive download toreach the calculated new position in the media program, and resumeplayback once a sufficient amount of the media program is downloaded toprevent interruption of playback. Alternatively or in combination, theSTB 106 can be configured to generate an error message or to selectalternate positions in the media program, such as the beginning, theend, or any other position currently available for playback.

Separately or in combination with step 214, the STB 106 in step 222 canmonitor for requests to bookmark a position in the media program beingpresented. A request for a bookmark can be generated in several ways.For example, a bookmark request can be generated when playback is haltedby a user for later playback. Alternatively, bookmark requests can bemade during playback, allowing the user to mark a position in the mediaprogram to allow a user to return to the marked position in the mediaprogram. To bookmark a current position, the approximate currentposition of the media program can be stored for later access as in step226. For example, the STB 106 can store a frame count for the bookmarkedposition in the estimated time index. The STB 106 can access theestimated time index at a later time and adjust the current position forthe media program, as discussed in steps 216 and 218. In one embodiment,the STB 106 in step 228 can adjust the GUI to indicate the availabilityand/or location of bookmarks. For example, the GUI can display thelocation of bookmarked positions in a playbar.

Separately, or in combination with steps 214-228, the STB 106 can alsomonitor in step 230 for completion of the delivery of the containerfile. Once delivery of the container file to the STB 106 is complete,the STB 106 in step 232 can retrieve the index file and generate thetrue time index for the media program. Subsequently, the STB 106 canmanage access and navigation of the media program using the true timeindex. The estimated time index can then be discarded by the STB orotherwise disposed of. If on the other hand, the delivery of thecontainer file is not complete and/or the STB 106 has not received anindex file, then the STB can continue to manage and navigate the mediaprogram based upon the estimated time index, as recited back in steps214-228.

In one embodiment, the STB 106 in step 234 can transfer at least someinformation from the estimated time index to the true time index priorto discarding of the estimated time index. For example, bookmarks in theestimated time index can be automatically transferred to the true timeindex. The STB 106 can also be configured to compare the true time indexand the estimated time index to more accurately determine the properposition for transferred positions from the estimated time index, suchas bookmarks. For example, if the actual and approximate lengths for amedia program are different, the position of the bookmark in the truetime index can be adjusted to more accurately reflect its positionbetween the end and beginning of the media program.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, in some embodimentsthe media delivery system could be configured to concurrently upload andanalyze the media program file in order to locate the index fileinformation and provide it to the STB prior to completing download ofthe media program. In another embodiment, media programs in a catalog ofa media delivery system can be preloaded by the media delivery system,where they can be analyzed to retrieve the index file information. Inyet another embodiment, where index file information is retrieved duringpre-processing, additional pre-processing can be used to reformat themedia program into a format more compatible with the media device 108,such as a High or Standard Definition media format, an adaptable mediaformat for portable devices, or an Internet browser media format. Theseare but a few examples of modifications that can be applied to thepresent disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims statedbelow. Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for afuller understanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 300 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 300 may include a processor 302 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 304 and a static memory 306, which communicate with each othervia a bus 308. The computer system 300 may further include a videodisplay unit 310 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system300 may include an input device 312 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 314 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 316, a signal generationdevice 318 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 320.

The disk drive unit 316 may include a machine-readable medium 322 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 324)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 324may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 304, the static memory 306, and/or within the processor 302during execution thereof by the computer system 300. The main memory 304and the processor 302 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 324, or that which receives and executes instructions 324from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 326 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 326 using the instructions 324. Theinstructions 324 may further be transmitted or received over a network326 via the network interface device 320.

While the machine-readable medium 322 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; andcarrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions ina transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listedherein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, inwhich the software implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

1. A communication device, comprising: a memory storing computerinstructions; and a controller coupled with the memory, wherein thecontroller, responsive to executing the computer instructions, performsoperations comprising: obtaining an estimated length of a media program,wherein the estimated length is based on a plurality of differentreported lengths of the media program in reported media programinformation; presenting at a display device in communication with thecontroller a portion of the media program while the media program isbeing delivered over a network to the controller by a media deliverysystem via a progressive download; and enabling active trick playfunctions for the media program based on the estimated length of themedia program and based on a true time index that is generated using anindex file received by the controller at an end of the progressivedownload of the media program.
 2. The communication device of claim 1,wherein the controller, responsive to executing the computerinstructions, performs operations comprising: comparing the true timeindex with an estimated time index generated based on the estimatedlength; and transferring user-inputted information associated with theestimated time index to the true time index based on the comparison andbased on a time differential between the estimated length of the mediaprogram and an actual length of the media program.
 3. The communicationdevice of claim 2, wherein only a portion of the user-inputtedinformation from the estimated time index is transferred to the truetime index.
 4. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the reportedmedia program information for the media program is obtained fromcatalogs of media programs, and wherein the estimated length of themedia program is different from an actual length of the media program.5. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the controller,responsive to executing the computer instructions, performs operationscomprising: estimating a number of program frames of the media programfrom the estimated length, wherein the reported media programinformation is not obtained from a file header of the media program. 6.The communication device of claim 5, wherein the controller, responsiveto executing the computer instructions, performs operations comprising:adjusting a presentation of the portion of the media program accordingto the estimated number of program frames.
 7. The communication deviceof claim 1, wherein the controller, responsive to executing the computerinstructions, performs operations comprising: receiving a bookmarkrequest corresponding to a selection of a graphical user interfaceelement of a graphical user interface presented on the display device,wherein the bookmark request corresponds to the user-inputtedinformation; determining according to the estimated length an adjustmentof the graphical user interface and the portion of the media programpresented thereby responsive to the bookmark request; and adjusting thepresentation of the portion of the media program according to theadjustment.
 8. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the displaydevice is integrated with the controller and the memory in a mobiledevice.
 9. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the controllerenables establishing voice communication services.
 10. The communicationdevice of claim 1, wherein the obtaining of the estimated length of themedia program is based on the controller performing an estimationutilizing the plurality of different reported lengths of the mediaprogram in the reported media program information, and wherein theestimated length of the media program is different from an actual lengthof the media program.
 11. A method comprising: utilizing a processor forobtaining an estimated length of a media program, wherein the estimatedlength is based on a plurality of different reported lengths of themedia program in reported media program information; presenting at adisplay device in communication with the processor a portion of themedia program while the media program is being delivered over a networkto the controller by a media delivery system via a progressive download;receiving an index file for the media program; comparing a true timeindex generated from the index file with an estimated time indexgenerated from the estimated length; and transferring user-inputtedinformation associated with the estimated time index to the true timeindex based on the comparison and based on a time differential betweenthe estimated length of the media program and an actual length of themedia program.
 12. The method of claim 11, comprising: enabling playbackand navigation functions for the media program based on the estimatedlength of the media program until the true time index is generated. 13.The method of claim 12, wherein the index file is received by theprocessor at an end of the progressive download of the media program.14. The method of claim 11, wherein the display device is integratedwith the processor in a mobile device.
 15. The method of claim 11,comprising: estimating a number of program frames of the media programfrom the estimated length, wherein the reported media programinformation is not obtained from a file header of the media program; andadjusting a presentation of the portion of the media program accordingto the estimated number of program frames.
 16. The method of claim 11,wherein the reported media program information for the media program isobtained from catalogs of media programs, and wherein the estimatedlength of the media program is different from the actual length of themedia program.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the processor isintegrated in a set top box.
 18. A server comprising: a memory storingcomputer instructions; and a controller coupled with the memory, whereinthe controller, responsive to executing the computer instructions,performs operations comprising: obtaining a plurality of differentreported lengths of the media program in reported media programinformation; determining an estimated length of the media program basedon the plurality of different reported lengths of the media program; andproviding the estimated length of the media program to a communicationdevice for enabling active trick play functions for the media programbased on the estimated length of the media program until a true timeindex is generated using an index file at an end of a progressivedownload of the media program.
 19. The server of claim 18, wherein thecontroller, responsive to executing the computer instructions, performsoperations comprising: estimating a number of program frames of themedia program from the estimated length, wherein the reported mediaprogram information is not obtained from a file header of the mediaprogram, and wherein a presentation of the portion of the media programis adjustable based on the estimated number of program frames.
 20. Theserver of claim 18, wherein the communication device is a mobile devicecapable of voice communications, wherein the reported media programinformation is obtained from catalogs of media programs, and wherein theestimated length of the media program is determined based on acalculated average of the plurality of different reported lengths of themedia program.